A heaping helping of news & reviews from DFW’s dining scene.
Chipotle
Like most Chipotle diners, I had no idea it was a chain with a conscience. But our eyes were opened to all sorts of coolness on Thursday when we sat down with Chris Arnold, the company's PR director, and two other staffers.
We got to be as nosy as we wanted, and ask about all kinds of stuff, from antibiotics to oregano. And we confess: we were already pretty big Chipotle fans, but now with all our new enlightenment, we're even more apt to get our burrito on there.
Here's why. Chipotle is big-time into:
Local produce. In our area, Chipotle is working with Generation Farms (near Rice) to have DFW restaurants start using local produce -- namely in this case, fresh oregano (used mostly in fajita veggies).
Naturally raised meats. About 10 years ago, Chipotle's owner realized that naturally-raised meats tasted superior to those farmed by traditional methods, which use antibiotics; all the better that it's a more humane way to raise animals. At Chipotle, 100 percent of chicken and pork served is naturally raised and antibiotic-free; they still have a way to go on their beef served, it's at 60 percent naturally raised. This, they tout, makes Chipotle the company that serves more naturally raised meats than any other company in the world.
Solar panels! Chipotle also claims bragging rights on its use of solar energy: this year, the company plans to install solar panels on 75 of its restaurants (DFW locations are among the first to use the technology). That'll produce 500 kilowatt hours of electricity, which would make them the restaurant industry's largest producer of solar energy. Fancy!
More Chipotle! Bonus for DFW Chipotle fans: in this tough economy, the chain is still expanding. This year, they'll launch three more DFW restaurants -- in Euless, Flower Mound and Plano. Also cool for us Metroplexuals: we're a test market for Chipotle's corn tortillas.
Oso Closo burrito is almost gone! Our own Preston Jones already told us about their Oso Closo burrito -- named after a national ad campaign searching for local bands. (Hurry! It's only available through Friday!)
